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FBI Probes Leak of Classified Documents on Israel's Planned Iran Strike
The FBI is investigating the leak of classified documents revealing Israel's planned retaliatory strike against Iran, sparking concerns over US intelligence security and diplomatic tensions.
Washington Metropolitan Police Department vehicles are parked near Building 197 at the Washington Navy Yard. Police and FBI evidence collection teams are working at the scene where a gunman killed 12 people Sept. 16, 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Pedro A. Rodriguez/Released)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into the unauthorized release of classified documents detailing Israel's preparations for a potential retaliatory strike against Iran.
The leaked documents, which emerged late last week on the Telegram messaging platform, reveal Israel's covert drone activity and munitions preparations, including long-range air-launched ballistic missiles. Based on U.S. geospatial and signals intelligence, they report that Israel conducted covert drone activity ahead of planned retaliation against Iran.
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According to the documents, Israel is planning to retaliate against Iran for an October 1 barrage of ballistic missiles that hit several military targets across Israel. The documents also reference Israel's nuclear-weapons capability, a topic never formally acknowledged by the two countries.
The FBI is working closely with the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community to probe the disclosure. "The bureau is probing the disclosure and working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community," the FBI said in a statement.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has discussed the leak with his Israeli counterpart. U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby expressed the White House's deep concern over the leakage of classified information.
This incident raises concerns about the security of classified information within the U.S. government and underscores the awkward reality that the U.S. routinely spies on its own allies.
Last year, the U.S. faced a similar intelligence leak when a 21-year-old airman leaked dozens of pages of documents on the Discord text and video chat app. Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty to retaining and transmitting classified documents and faces more than a decade in prison.
U.S. officials are uncertain whether the documents were leaked intentionally or due to a hack. However, they have found no evidence suggesting the documents were leaked by a foreign adversary to interfere in next month's presidential election.
The White House remains deeply concerned about any leakage of classified information into the public domain.
